Relation between areas of the body with musculoskeletal discomfort and job stress in workers

Introduction
Job stress is well known to be a major factor in the presentation of musculoskeletal discomfort. Although the mechanism generating such discomfort is similar for the body overall, impact upon various areas is differentiated, with some showing more susceptibility than others.

Methods
A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted with 562 industrial sector workers in the Mexican state of Jalisco. Socio-demographic and employment data were gathered before applying the Job Content Questionnaire and standardized questionnaires for the analysis of musculoskeletal symptoms. Data were analyzed using SPSS.

Results
There was a greater relationship between stress and musculoskeletal discomfort in women than in men. This gender difference was evident in seven of the nine analyzed body areas. A significant correlation was found to exist between the number of body areas with musculoskeletal discomfort and the level of stress. Findings also indicate that subjects experiencing stress present most frequently with discomfort of the neck (X2 = 9.611, p ≥ 0.01), lumbar region (X2 = 4.485, p ≥ 0.05), wrists (X2 = 5.138, p ≥ 0.05), hips (X2 = 8.101, p ≥ 0.01) and knees (X2 = 4.685, p ≥ 0.05).

Discussion
Results confirm that job stress has a major effect upon musculoskeletal discomfort in certain areas of the body, and that this effect is greater in women than in men. These results reinforce the need for implementing stress-reducing measures in the workplace, in order to improve general worker health conditions.